Gazing up at Eckhart Hall, have you ever wondered about the mathematical treasures hidden inside the Math Library? This isn’t just any library. It’s a portal to worlds imagined and problems solved. The Math Library is a key part of the University of Chicago Library system.
Founded in 1891 by William Rainey Harper, the university president, the library system now holds over 11.9 million volumes. This makes it the ninth largest academic library in North America. The Math Library specifically resides within Eckhart Hall and Mansueto Library. Eckhart Library houses the most recent and heavily used monographs. Mansueto Library holds all other monographs and math journals.
Imagine brilliant minds poring over research-level materials. These cover pure mathematics and selected applied mathematics areas. The Math Library boasts an extensive journal collection and a comprehensive collection of research monographs. More and more journals are now available electronically.
Eliakim Hastings Moore, the first chair of the mathematics department, shaped its early focus. He appointed Oskar Bolza and Heinrich Maschke. Together, they formed the department’s core from 1892 to 1908. This period was considered unmatched in America for higher mathematics study.
The department organized an international congress of mathematicians in 1893. This event, tied to the World Fair in Chicago, inspired regular International Congresses of Mathematicians. Moore also encouraged reorganizing the New York Mathematical Society into the American Mathematical Society.
From 1892 to 1910, Chicago awarded 39 doctoral degrees in mathematics. Graduates included Leonard Dickson and Gilbert Bliss. By 1928, Chicago was a leading source of math Ph.D.s in the United States. It granted either 12 or 14 out of 45 nationally.
During World War II, the Manhattan Project was housed in Eckhart Hall. The math department relocated to Harper Library. After the war, President Robert Hutchins aimed to strengthen the math department. He recruited Marshall Stone from Harvard as chair.
Stone’s efforts led to remarkable appointments. These included André Weil and Antoni Zygmund. The Math Library benefited greatly from these minds. It became a hub of mathematical innovation.
Today, the Math Library continues to support research and learning. It offers access to essential databases for math articles and books. The UChicago Virtual Lab allows remote access to software like Matlab and Python. Almost all library databases are accessible off-campus with a CNetID and password.
The Math Library stands as a testament to the University of Chicago’s commitment to mathematical excellence. It connects past discoveries with future innovations. As you leave, consider the countless equations that have been solved and the theories that have been born within these walls. The Math Library remains a cornerstone of mathematical exploration.